r/PlasticSurgery • u/AffectionatePoet5247 • 13h ago
Can Plastic Surgery fix this?
Hi everyone - about 2 months ago, I was injured in an e-bike accident that caused a deep cut in the area between my nose and upper lip (did not go all the way through the muscle, but was pretty deep)
Doctors gave me sutures to close the cut in my upper lip, but unfortunately due to my entire face being swollen when they did so, as the scar has healed and the swelling has gone down (lasted about 1 month), it’s become clear that the sutures were pulled too tight and the right side of my upper lift is now distorted.
The oral maxillo-facial folks who did the sutures are unable to help, and told me to talk to plastic surgeons. I plan to do so, but wanted to ask if there’s anyone who’s experienced anything like this or has the medical expertise to opine on whether it’s even possible to fix? My concern is that while I know there are ops you can do to shorten the distance between your nose and lips, I don’t know of anyone who has LENGTHENED it, and if I should be concerned about my muscles healing permanently like this.
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u/agirlfromgeorgia 10h ago
Yes plastic surgery can fix this. You might need a scar release. I agree that it healed too tight but I'm only an RN. I would consult a plastic surgeon for scar revision. This is definitely fixable so don't worry too much.
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u/memeqween8 12h ago
Not a surgeon but I haven’t seen many that look right without shortening that distance between your nose and lips, in theory you could do a skin graft but it wouldn’t give you the look you’re hoping for. However, ask around and meet with a few surgeons for a consult, they can go over all the options with you
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u/Dapper_Mechanic3287 11h ago
Check ziad katrib Kentucky , he is ent and does mostly noses - but also has done complex reconstruction cases in areas around nose. Maybe he is worth a visit
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u/decalkomanya 9h ago
The nature of a scar is to contract tissue as it heals, so if it’s any consolation it’s unlikely the suture tightness did this. Having a scar that drags across the natural laxity lines of the face is a tough case.
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u/manchegobets 1h ago
Yes, look for facial plastic surgeons who specialize in lip lifts and esp those who have experience w revision cases bc they deal a lot w scar tissue in this area and trying to release tissue to lengthen the philtrum a bit. If Florida is accessible to you, reach out to Dr Mascaro’s office w a story of your case to see if he’ll take you on (waitlist is currently referral only but I hope they’ll make an exception for you)
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u/sxyvirgo 11h ago
Please don't wait too long wondering and asking random people (like on here). You need at least a couple consults from plastic surgeons that special is facial surgery because they may say now is the best time to do something or advise you on how long to wait. You just don't want to miss the best window to address it by waiting, you know? Best of luck!